Display apparatus



Dec. 27, 1955 A. 1.. 'STEGNER 2,728,253

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E1. E INVENTOR.

141653974. Sass/V64 WWWAW Dec. 27, 1955 STEGNER 2,728,258

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AlId-RT 4. JTEG/VA'R www United States Patent DISPLAY APPARATUS Albert L. Stegner, Houston, Tex. Application November 19, 1951, Serial No. 257,161 2 Claims. (Cl. 84-464) This invention relates to electrically operated displays. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a display having means for sequentially energizing a plurality of electrically operated devices, such for example, as electric lamps in a manner to obtain an effect which does not follow any perceptible pattern or sequence.

The arrangement renders it possible to provide a display of randomly flashing lights, which simulates in appearance twinkling stars or groups of fireflies; and is especially effective for use in connection with holiday decorations and for attracting attention.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a dis play of the above type, having in addition to the flashing lamps, a music box and also having means for synchronizing the musical notes with the operation of the lamps.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vilew of display apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view partly in. section of the display apparatus; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of display apparatus.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral designates a plurality of conventional electric lamps respectively electrically connected in circuits 11. The number of electric lamps 10 and associated operating circuits 11 may be varied considerably, depending on the type of the display it is desired to create. The electrical conductors of the circuits 11 are preferably highly flexible and may be of substantial length in order to permit locating the lamps in various different positions with respect to each other. Hence practically any specified arrangement of the lamps may be obtained, and if desired, provision may be made for attaching the lamps on a Christmas tree for imparting a highly decorative appearance to the tree.

The circuits 11 are sequentially opened and closed in a manner to give the impression that the lamps are illuminated at random; or in other words, to cause the lamps 10 to flash or blink with an irregularity that simulates twinkling stars or the action of a group of fire bugs. For controlling the circuits 11, I provide an elongated drum 12 having an axle 13 rotatably supported on a base 14 and operatively connected to an electric motor 15 through suitable reduction means 16.

The peripheral surface of the drum 12 is either formed of or plated with an electrical conducting material, such as copper and strips 17 of dielectric material are cemented or otherwise applied to the peripheral surface of the drum 12. The strips 17 extend generally lengthwise of the drum and are spaced from each other in the direction of rotation of the drum 12 in order to provide areas 18 of electrical conducting material between adjacent strips 17. The strips 17 extend from the outer end of the drum 12 2,728,258 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 to a point short of the inner end of said drum, and thereby provide a ring 19 of electrical conducting material at the inner end of the drum 12. Also the strips 17 and hence the areas 18 between the strips are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum, so that the circuits 11 are opened and closed at different periods during rotation of the drum 12.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, a shaft 20 is suitably secured to the base 14 at the front side of the drum, and the axis of the shaft 20 extends parallel to the axle 13 on which the drum 12 is mounted. A plurality of arms 21 corresponding in number to the number of circuits 11 are journalled in side by side relationship at their front ends on the shaft 20, and contact fingers 22 are respectively secured at their front ends to the rear ends of the arms 21 by dielectric clamps 23. The rear ends of the contact fingers 22 are engageable with the peripheral surface of the drum 12, and are yieldably urged into firm contact with the drum 12 by coil springs 24.

The coil springs 24 are supported in upright positions on rods 25 having the lower ends pivoted to a shaft 26 which in turn is mounted on the support 14 between the shaft 20 and the drum 12 with its axis extending parallel to the axis of the shaft 20. The rods 25 respectviely project through clearance openings in the arms 21 and are threaded at the upper ends for receiving nuts 27. The coil springs 24 encircle the rods 25 and are seated at the lower ends on the respective arms 21. The upper ends of the coil springs are engaged by the nuts 27 in a manner such that adjustment of the nuts on the respective rods 25 varies the pressure applied by the contact fingers 22 on the peripheral surface of the drum.

A plurality of terminals 28 corresponding in number to the number of contact fingers 22 are fixed to the sup port 14 at the front side of the shaft 20 in spaced relationship axially of the shaft 20. Flexible electrical conductors 29 respectively connect the terminals 28 to the fingers 22. Also one electrical conductor 30 of each lamp circuit 11 is connected to one of the terminals 28, and the electrical conductor 31 forming the opposite side of each lamp circuit 11 is connected to terminal 32. The terminals 32 are supported on a common bus bar 33 which is mounted on the front side of the base 14 and insulated from the base by a dielectric strip 34.

Referring now to Figure l of the drawings it will be noted that the reference numeral 35 designates a main electrical supply circuit having a fuse 36 and a switch 37 therein. The circuit 35 is electrically connected to the motor 15 by a branch circuit 38 including a switch 39 and a suitable fuse 40. Also the main supply circuit 35 is connected to the primary coil 41 of a step-down transformer 42 having the secondary coil 43 connected in a supply circuit 44 of reduced voltage for energizing the circuits 11 to the lamps 10. One side of the electrical conductor 45 of the circuit 44 is electrically connected to the bus bar 33, and the other side of electrical conductor 46 is connected to a terminal 47 supported on the base 14. The terminal 47 is in turn electrically connected to a contact finger 48 similar to the fingers 22 and positioned so that the rear end contacts the ring portion 19 of the drum 12. Thus the circuit 44 serves to energize both the drum 12 and the circuits 11 as the fingers 22 come in contact with the drum areas 18.

Due to the inclined relationship of the dielectric strips 17 and areas 18, the circuits 11 are energized at different times, although it is possible that the periods of energization of certain of the circuits 11 may overlap, depending upon the spacing of the fingers 22 as well as the spacing between adjacent strips 17. In any case the lamps 10 are periodically illuminated without apparent pattern or sequence, and a highly attractive effect is obtained.

Upon reference to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be noted that parts corresponding to those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment a circuit control drum 50 is operated in conjunction with a drum 51 of a conventional music box 52, so that energization of the lamps It) is accomplished in synchronism with the musical notes produced by the box 52.

The music box 5'2 comprises the usual reeds 53 and articulating pins 54 mounted on the drum 51 for striking the reeds to produce a preselected arrangement of musical notes. The music box drum 51 is driven at the same peripheral speed as the drum 51) by a shaft 55 connecting the axle 13 of the drum 50 to the drum 51. Also the circuit controlling drum 5! has contact pins 56 corresponding in number to the reed striking pins 54- and projecting outwardly from the peripheral surface of the drum 50 in the same relationship or pattern as the reed striking pins 54.

The contact pins 56 sequentially engage the free or rear ends of contact fingers 57 having the front ends mounted on a support 58 of insulating material. In the interests of simplicity, the fingers 57 may be considered as supported on a base similar to the base 14 in the same manner previously described in connection with the fingers 22. The peripheral surface of the drum 50 as well as the pins 56 are formed of electrical conducting material and are energized from the circuit 44- by the contact finger 59.

Attention is also called to the fact that the contact fingers 57 are respectively electrically connected to the conductors 30 forming one side of the circuits 11, and that the opposite sides or conductors 31 of the circuits 11 are electrically connected to the circuit 44 through the medium of the bus bar 33. The contact pins 56 have the same relationship to the contact fingers 57 as the striking pins '54 of the music box have to the reeds 53 so that each time a note is produced by the music box 51, at least one of the lamps it) is illuminated.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A display apparatus comprising a music producing device having a plurality of reeds for producing different musical notes, a drum supported for rotation adjacent the reeds, said reeds being arranged in a spaced series along the length of said drum, pins projecting from the periphery of the drum in spaced relation lengthwise of said drum in positions to strike the respective reeds upon rotation of the drum and arranged circumferentially about said drum with respect to each other in a manner to produce a selected musical arrangement, a second drum supported for rotation and having electrically conducting contact pins projecting from its peripheral surface in spaced relation lengthwise of said second drum, means for rotating said drums in synchronisrn, a plurality of electrical circuits equal in number to said reeds each including lamps, said circuits being normally open and respectively having contacts for closing said circuits arranged in a spaced series along the length of said second drum in positions to engage and be closed by said respective contact pins on said second drum as the latter rotates, said contact pins being arranged circumferentially about said second drum in the same relation to each other as the first-mentioned pins to effect the closing of a contact each time a pin on said first drum strikes a reed.

2. A display apparatus comprising a music producing device having a plurality of reeds for producing difierent musical notes, a drum supported for rotation adjacent the reeds, said reeds being arranged in a spaced series along the lengtnbf said drum, pins projecting from the periphery of the drum in spaced relation lengthwise of said drum in positions to strike the respective reeds upon rotation of the drum and arranged circumferentially about said drum with respect to each other in a manner to produce a selected musical arrangement, a second drum supported for rotation and having an electrically conducting peripheral surface and having electrically conducting contact pins projecting from said peripheral surface in spaced relation lengthwise of said second drum, means for rotat ing said drums in synchronisrn, a plurality of electrical circuits equal in number to said reeds each including lamps, said circuits each including said electrically conducting peripheral surface of said second drum, said circuits being normally open and respectively having contacts for closing said circuits which are spaced from said peripheral surface and arranged in a spaced series along the length of said second drum in positions to engage and be closed by said respective contact pins on said second drum as the latter rotates, said contact pins being arranged circumferentially about said second drum in the same relation to each other as the first-mentioned pins to effect the closing of a contact each time a pin on said first drum strikes a reed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 16,825 Greenewalt Dec. 20, 1927 849,226 Garrett Apr. 2, 1907 1,124,215 Dempsey Jan. 5, 1915 2,279,182 Snyder Apr. 7, 1942 2,587,788 Tacy Mar. 4, 1952 2,598,574 Marra May 27, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,298 Switzerland Sept. 19, 1893 

